Unfiltered Dose: Shingrix
Shingrix: Detailed Info on Adverse Effects, Expense, Competitors, Comparison with Zostavax, and Additional Details
Shingrix, a vaccine, is used to prevent that nasty shingles shit. It works for folks:
- 50 years and older
- 18 and older with a higher risk of shingles, like folks with a crappy immune system or HIV.
Shingrix isn't for dealing with chickenpox, no sir.
This vaccine is injected into your arm, and you'll need two shots. You'll get them from a healthcare pro in their office or at a pharmacy. Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine, made from parts of the shingles virus.
Want more deets on Shingrix? Check out the sections below:
Shingrix approvals
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Shingrix the green light in 2017.
Effectiveness
For info about Shingrix's effectiveness, dig into the 'Shingrix uses' section. Get additional insights about how Shingrix works down below.
Shingrix generic
Shingrix is a snazzy brand-name medication, not available in generic form as of now.
Shingrix side effects
Shingrix can lead to mild or severe side effects. Here are some common side effects you might experience:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site[1][2][4]
- Muscle pain[3][4]
- Tiredness/fatigue[2][3]
- Headache[2][3]
- Fever[1][2]
- Shivering or chills[2]
- Stomach pain, nausea[1][4]
Most of these side effects ought to improve within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they're more severe or don't go away, hit up your doc or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Shingrix are quite rare, but they can happen. Call your doc right away if you encounter serious side effects. Call 911 if things feel life-threatening or like a medical emergency:
- Severe allergic reaction. Learn more about side effect details below.
Since Shingrix became available, there have been reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome in folks who've taken Shingrix. This is an unusual condition where your immune system causes damage to your nerves, leading to muscle weakness[1].
Side effect details
Wondering how often certain side effects occur with Shingrix? Here's some insight into certain side effects Shingrix might cause:
Injection site reactions
You might experience discomfort in the arm where you get Shingrix. Symptoms might include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itching
- Rash
The frequency of these symptoms isn't known[1].
Headaches
Some researchers found that a few people who received Shingrix sprouted headaches. Headaches were more common after the second shot of the vaccine[1]. These headaches should go away within 2 to 3 days.
To find out how often this side effect cropped up in clinical trials, check out the drug's prescribing information[1]. If you've got questions or concerns, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
Allergic reaction
Just like with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after getting Shingrix. Here's what a mild and severe allergic reaction might look like:
- Mild allergic reaction: skin rash, itching, flushing (redness and warmth in your skin)
- Severe allergic reaction: angioedema (swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet), swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure
Call your doc stat if you have a severe allergic reaction to Shingrix. Call 911 if you think you're having a medical emergency or if symptoms feel life-threatening.
Shingrix cost
The cost of Shingrix may vary based on your insurance coverage and pharmacy.
Financial and insurance assistance
If you're strapped for cash but need help paying for Shingrix, help is out there. Check out GSKforyou, a program from the manufacturer of Shingrix. For more info and to see if you're eligible for support, call 866-728-4368 or cruise on over to their program website.
Shingrix is not a live vaccine
Live vaccines are made from weakened germs. Shingrix is an inactive vaccine, which means it contains killed germs. Because Shingrix is inactive, more people can safely receive it, even those with a weakened immune system[1].
Alternatives to Shingrix
There used to be another shingles vaccine besides Shingrix. This one was called Zostavax. However, Zostavax is no longer available in the U.S.
Shingrix vs. Zostavax
Both Shingrix and Zostavax were used to prevent shingles. But Zostavax is not available in the U.S. Below's a quick summary of similarities and differences between these two vaccines:
Uses
Shingrix is approved for use in folks:
- 50 years and older
- 18 years and older with a higher risk of shingles
Zostavax was only approved for use in folks over 50. Neither vaccine has been approved for preventing chickenpox, shingles treatment, or postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles that causes burning pain.
Live shingles vaccine vs. non-live shingles vaccine
A live vaccine contains a weakened form of a germ. Shingrix is not a live vaccine; instead, it's inactive. Zostavax was a live shingles vaccine.
Zostavax was advised against for folks with a weakened immune system because live vaccines can sometimes mutate (change) back into the full-strength germ that causes the disease[1]. This would put folks with weakened immune systems at a much greater risk for developing the disease that the vaccine is supposed to prevent.
CDC recommendation for the shingles vaccine
consider Shingrix to be the best vaccine for preventing shingles[1]. They found that Shingrix was more effective than Zostavax. They recommend receiving Shingrix, even if you've had Zostavax in the past.
Shingrix dosage
Shingrix is given as an injection in your upper arm. You'll receive two doses, each containing 0.5 mL of vaccine solution. A healthcare professional will administer the shots in their office or at a pharmacy.
Dosage for shingles prevention
Shingrix is given as two 0.5-mL injections in your upper arm. You don't need booster doses after getting the two doses of Shingrix.
What if I wait too long to take the second Shingrix dose?
accstate that if more than 6 months have passed since you received your first dose, you should get the second dose as soon as possible. You don’t have to start the doses all over again[1].
Shingrix and alcohol
There aren't any specific warnings or guidelines about alcohol and Shingrix. If you've got concerns about drinking alcohol while getting the Shingrix vaccine, chat with your doc.
Shingrix interactions
Shingrix can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can result in varying effects. For example, some interactions can influence how well a drug works, while others can boost side effects.
Shingrix and other medications
Here's a list of medications that can interact with Shingrix[1]:
- Immunosuppressive drugs, such as:
- prednisone (Deltasone)
- budesonide (Pulmicort)
- Monoclonal antibodies, such as:
- adalimumab (Humira)
- etanercept (Enbrel)
- rituximab (Rituxan)
- Other medications, such as:
- azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- mycophenolate (CellCept, Myfortic)
- tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf)
- sirolimus (Rapamune)
- tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
If you take any of these meds, talk with your doc or pharmacist before getting Shingrix.
Shingrix and other vaccines
Shingrix is generally safe to use with or after certain other vaccines[1]. If you've got queries about other vaccines potentially interacting with Shingrix, ask your doc.
Shingrix after Zostavax
There used to be another shingles vaccine called Zostavax. If you've had Zostavax in the past, you should still receive Shingrix, according to CDC[1].
Shingrix and the flu shot
There's no evidence showing any negative effects when Shingrix and the flu shot are taken together[1].
Common questions about Shingrix
Here are responses to some frequently asked questions about Shingrix:
Can I get the Shingrix vaccine if I have an egg allergy?
Yes. Shingrix doesn't contain egg protein[2][4]. However, some flu vaccines do contain egg protein[1]. If you have an egg allergy, make sure to discuss it with your doc before getting any vaccines.
I'm living with HIV. Is it safe for me to get Shingrix?
The hasn't made a specific recommendation about Shingrix for folks living with HIV. However, one study looked at healthy adults ages 18 and older who were living with HIV and had an HIV dosing schedule tailored to their needs[2]. The study didn't report any safety issues. If you're living with HIV, chat with your doc about the risks and benefits of receiving Shingrix.
What's the age range for getting the Shingrix vaccine?
Shingrix is approved for use in folks:
- 50 years and older
- 18 years and older with a higher risk of shingles
There's no upper age limit for getting Shingrix, so there isn't a set age range[2].
How safe is Shingrix?
The has approved Shingrix for preventing shingles. Research from several clinical trials demonstrated Shingrix's safety and effectiveness[1][2].
However, concerns have been raised about ingredients like thimerosal, which is a preservative containing mercury. Added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of other germs and bacteria, thimerosal played a role in unfounded theories linking it to autism[4]. Fortunately, Shingrix doesn't contain thimerosal[4].
Can I receive Shingrix if I have shingles or if I had shingles in the past?
The doesn't recommend the Shingrix vaccine for people who currently have shingles. Wait until your shingle rashes have cleared before you receive Shingrix[2].
If you've had shingles in the past, you can still receive Shingrix to help prevent future shingles infections[2].
Can I get Shingrix if I've never had chickenpox?
If you've never had chickenpox (varicella), the recommends that you receive the chickenpox vaccine instead of Shingrix. Research hasn't been conducted on Shingrix's effectiveness in people who have never had chickenpox. Shingrix isn't approved for preventing chickenpox[2].
If you can't remember if you've had chickenpox, you might need to be tested. However, this would depend on your age.
It's assumed that people born before 1980 in the United States and elsewhere have likely been exposed to chickenpox. In such cases, you may be eligible for Shingrix without needing the chickenpox test. Discuss this with your doctor first.
Can Shingrix cause a rash?
It's unlikely that a Shingrix injection will leave you with a shingles-like rash. However, an injection site reaction, which is different from a shingles rash, might occur after getting Shingrix[2][3][4].
Symptoms of an injection site reaction can include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Itching
If you develop a shingles-like rash after getting Shingrix, it's possible that you had an uncontrolled shingles infection already. If this is the case, you shouldn't receive Shingrix[1].
People who received Shingrix in clinical trials didn't report shingles-like rashes[1]. However, did find that a few people with Zostavax had shingles-like rashes[1]. (Zostavax was a different shingles vaccine that's no longer available in the U.S. See the 'Shingrix vs. Zostavax' section above to learn more.)
- The Shingrix vaccine, used to prevent shingles, is an important component of overall health-and-wellness, especially as it addresses a medical-condition like shingles that can impact both physical and mental health.
- Science plays a crucial role in the development of the Shingrix vaccine, as it is a recombinant vaccine made from parts of the shingles virus, showcasing the advancements in medical research.
- In addition to maintaining physical health through fitness-and-exercise and skin-care, it is equally important to address mental health, as those with mental health conditions, such as a weakened immune system, may require the Shingrix vaccine to protect against shingles.
- Proper nutrition is key to supporting the immune system, which is instrumental in the body's response to immunizations, making it vital to consume a balanced diet when considering vaccinations such as Shingrix.
- While the Shingrix vaccine is not a treatment for cancer, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular vaccinations like Shingrix, can help reduce the risk of developing certain health complications, such as shingles, which may worsen existing conditions like cancer.
